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20 of the best quirky places to stay on the Isle of Wight - 2020

Looking for somewhere a bit different for your Isle of Wight holiday cottage or self catering accommodation? Here is a selection of some of the more unusual, quirky, interesting and historic places you can stay on the Island. 

We've found a selection of lighthouses, tree houses, railway stations, Airbnbs, manor houses, royal residences, radar stations, golf clubhouses, boathouses and castles...

Before you book, don't forget about to read our guide to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel, or the blog.

1. St Catherine's Lighthouse

OK, so you can't actually stay in the lighthouse (although you can visit it, which is well worth it) but you can stay in holiday cottages at the site, which I believe are former lighthouse keepers' cottages.

There are three cottages, called Gurnard, Landward and Penda. As a rough guide, seven nights in a cottage for 5 people is about £2300 in August 2020.
St Catherine's Lighthouse and cottages
St Catherine's Lighthouse

2. Golden Hill Fort

Golden Hill Fort is an eight sided beast that was built in the Victorian era, around the same time that forts were being built in the Solent. It was clearly a time of great paranoia. Anyway, you can now rent out apartments in the fort, including Palmerston House and The Sergeants Quarters 
Golden Hill Fort
I fort you'd like this one

3. Board a houseboat

You can't get much closer to the sea than living in a houseboat. 

Houseboat Harbourside View in Bembridge is a bed and breakfast with ensuite rooms and a balcony overlooking the harbour.

Meanwhile, Poem 25 is a self catering holiday houseboat which sleeps up to 8 people.

Or if you really want to push the boat out (Ed: that's enough puns, thanks), you can stay in an Airbnb yacht which is moored in Cowes called the Hart of Cowes. It says it sleeps 12 people in one room, which sounds cosy.
Houseboat Harbourside View
Does Harbourside View float your boat?

4. Hire a Manorhouse

The Isle of Wight seems to be awash with swanky manor houses for hire:
The Hermitage in the South Wight was a swanky guest house but you can now rent the whole 10 bedrooms.
If you've always fancied living in a manor house...but can't quite afford to rent the whole thing, how about an apartment at Shanklin Manor.
Isle of Wight holiday homes don't come much grander than this Manor House for hire (Kingston Manor near Chale) which dates back to the 13th century and sleeps 16. There are 15 acres of grounds to swan around in and admire without having to actually cut the lawn yourself.
Shalfleet Manor looks historic enough that it could host coach parties of visitors from the WI. It's a Grade II listed property which is big enough for 16 people. There's a swimming pool and tennis court as well as a separate property called Shalfleet Barn in the grounds, so it accommodates 30 people in total.
Arreton Manor offers suites and double bedrooms. Honestly, you could easily get the impression that everyone on the Isle of Wight has a drawing room and a four poster bed. 

This one has a history going back more than a thousand years. 
This one is ideal for fans of Victorian poetry (bit of a niche interest, I admit). Northcourt House in Shorwell is older than the USA having been built in 1615 on the site of a 13th century monastic house. It once belonged to the uncle of Algernon Swinburne, who was an esteemed (and somewhat decadent) Victorian poet who grew up on the Island and stayed at Northcourt House regularly. 

5. Marine Villa (Charleston House), Shanklin

OK, so this isn't a cheap option for an Isle of Wight holiday home at around £2000 - £5000 per week but this 1929 'gentleman's residence' sleeps 20 people and has great sea views. It's got 7 bedrooms, a water feature that they don't sell in Wickes and a dining room suitable for Robin Hood to have a sword fight. It is also known as Charleston House.

6. A Treehouse, Woodside Bay or Whippingham

There are two treehouses at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat which sleep two people and have their own hot tubs. They're about 60 seconds walk to the beach at Woodside Bay and are part of a larger lodge resort which has a gym, restaurant and spa treatments. The beach is one of the Isle of Wight's scrubbier beaches with a mix of shingle and sand but it's nice and quiet and has good sunsets. The resort gets reviews of 9/10 from customers.
Into The Woods Treehouse is more amongst trees than actually in a tree, but it still looks like an appealing option, and it claims to be ideal for Christmas (I suggest you bring your long johns and a hot water bottle). Whippingham is towards the north of the Island, quite near to East Cowes.

7. A hut with a hot tub

What more could you want for a romantic week away than a hut and a hot tub, eh? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Olive at Buttercup Barn Retreats sits in a rural part of Wootton Bridge (East Wight-ish, near the Fishbourne ferry). It's a circular building which sleeps two and also allows dogs. 

There's a similar one on the same site called Rosemary which is bit more basic.
Isle of Wight holiday house
Olive is a hut with a hot tub in Wootton

8. Hire a Yurt/Glamping/Posh Caravans/VW Campervans

I must admit, I'm a little sceptical of 'glamourous camping' which often seems to cost as much as staying somewhere which has walls made of bricks. Anyway, I shouldn't knock it until I've tried it - they do look pretty quirky. 
​
If you fancy Glamping at a holiday park with lots of family friendly facilities (swimming pools, restaurants, entertainment) then Whitecliff Bay has bell tents and a seaside location.
Quieter glamping options include:
There are other glamping options in our Isle of Wight Glamping guide.

Below: click the image below to take a walk around Tom's Eco Lodges ​
Alternatively,  fans of chintzy things would enjoy vintage American-style caravans at Vintage Vacations site towards Ryde. They currently have a fleet of 13 to hire. Prices range from about £500 to £700 for a week. You might even like one of their vintage British-style caravans.

Sticking with the vintage feel, you might consider hiring a VW Campervan. They aren't a cheap option, Grandad. A week costs around £500 - £800 but there are 'no hidden extras' apparently.

9. The Radar Station

This is a rather appealing property as long as you don't mind being in an exceedingly isolated spot.

The World War 2 radar station sits on the top of St. Boniface Down which is the highest point on the Island (hardly Ben Nevis, but still pretty fantastic views). History nerds will already know that it was an important part of the war effort as one of a chain of radar stations.

It's now been converted and has the kind of interior they have in property magazines.

10. Writer's Retreats

Numerous noted writers have spent time on the Isle of Wight. The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson lived at Farringford which now offers self catering accommodation. 

Around 1817 - 1819, John Keats spent time at Eglantine Cottage which is now apparently Keats Cottage B&B in Shanklin. 

More recently, poet Alfred Noyes lived at Lisle Combe in the 1920s. The house is still in the same family and is a B&B.

11. Kasbah, Ryde

Do you come to the Isle of Wight to get a taste of the real Morocco? No, me neither. Just in case you fancy it though, you might like to rent a room in Kasbah which offers B and B from about £50 per night.

12. Calbourne Watermill Cottages

Calbourne Mill is a tourist attraction towards the West Wight which uses water power to grind flour. You can now stay in properties at the site, including ones called Riverside and Mill Cottage
Kingfisher at Calbourne Watermill
Cottages at Calbourne Watermill

13. Edward Elgar's Honeymoon spot

Bermuda House
Stay in Elgar's honeymoon spot
The composer Edward Elgar spent his honeymoon in Bermuda House in Ventnor in 1889. It is now a five bedroom self catering property which sleeps up to 10 people.

Sir Edward supposedly wrote to a friend that "We are liking this place very much and have nice rooms overlooking the sea". Nowadays of course he would write his review on Trip Advisor but that wasn't an option at the time.

It's available from about £140 per night.

14. Enchanted Manor, Niton

Fans of Disney, romance and fairy dust should consider the Enchanted Manor in St Catherine's point near Niton in the South of the Isle of Wight. Romance is the key with four poster beds, chandeliers and pampering at every corner. It has great reviews too.

15. An Isle of Wight Festival site

The modern day Isle of Wight Festival is held at Seaclose Park in Newport with the artists usually staying at Premier Inn. You never know, you might up in Mick Jagger's former bed. 

However, the original Isle of Wight Festivals in 1968, 1969 and 1970 moved about a bit:

16. No Man's Fort, middle of the Solent

You'll probably notice the Solent's circular forts during your ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight. They were built to fend off French invasion but have now been converted into posh hotels which happily serve up French wine, French cheese and French bread without a whiff of irony. 

Rooms at No Man's Fort are around £300-£500, including a meal and transport to the fort, so it's not one for our Cheap Isle of Wight Accommodation guide, but it would be a fantastic anniversary/ birthday/ Valentines/ making-up-for-doing-something-wrong present.
No Man's Fort
Not your usual B&B

17. Osborne House

If following in the footsteps of an imprisoned King isn't your thing (see Carisbrooke Castle at #26) then how about following an emotionally imprisoned Queen? OK, so you can't actually stay in Queen Victoria's bedroom but you can stay in a cottage within the grounds.

There are a couple of properties to choose from for the Osborne experience. Pavilion Cottage is managed by English Heritage and sleeps four people (plus one cot). You'll also get access to the Queen's beach, so when the house is shut you'll have it entirely to yourself.

There's also a property called Meadow View which is part of the Osborne Estate.
Osborne House
You could stay here...sort of

18. The Old Club House, St Helen's

Old Club House
The Old Club House, St. Helen's
One for the golf fan in your life - this National Trust property was the clubhouse for the Royal Isle of Wight Golf Links. It's also walking distance from the popular St Helen's beach and not far from Priory Bay. The golf course is now an attractive area of sand and shingle known as the Duver. It sleeps 5 and will cost you around £400 - £800 for a week.

19. A religious encounter

A few churches have been converted into holiday accommodation on the Isle of Wight. 

Chapel House in Chale (near Ventnor) is near to St Boniface Down which is the Island's highest point. It sleeps 6 and has a modern interior in contrast to the original features of the exterior.

The Victorian era 'Mission Hall' was built in the late 19th century and is described by the owners as a 'tin tabernable'.

20. Galahad the helicopter

There are a few glamping options at Windmill Campersite in Carisbrooke but the oddest of them all is the Westland Wessex 1965 which has been converted into a 3 or 4 person holiday home. Apparently it was designed as a honeymoon suite, although I'm not quite sure I would have got away with such things with my wife. The site also has a jacket potato oven, shepherds' huts and a silo which has been turned into a cinema.
Galahad the helicopter
Galahad costs about £100 a night for 4 people

21. Chert, St Lawrence

This one's just weird. Chert is a very 1970s property which is rented out by the National Trust. It proudly offers a 'monochrome interior...and bright orange bathroom'. It sleeps 4 and a week costs between £450 - £1200. ​

I'm now wondering if my mother should have kept her avocado green bathroom so it could have become a National Trust property in a few years' time.

22. Churchill's Romantic Spot

East Rosetta Cottage is National Trust owned and was the spot where Winston Churchill's parents first met and seemingly became instantly engaged. Lord Randolph Churchill and Jenny Jerome (daughter of the New York Times proprietor) met during Cowes Week in 1873, married in April 1874 and then Winston was born in late November 1874. As my mother in-law pointed out whilst reading the plaque outside the property: "they certainly didn't waste any time..."

The property is in a prime location on the seafront at Cowes.
East Rosetta Cottages in Cowes
Churchill's parents met at this sunny spot on Cowes seafront

23. Whitwell Railway Station

Most of the Isle of Wight's rail network was closed in the 1960s and has been turned into cycle paths. One of the former railway stations - Whitwell - is now available for rental. It's in the quieter South Wight. 

It sleeps 5 and is available from about £500 per week.

24. Brighstone Holiday Centre

Brighstone chalets
Hi-de-hi! Ho-de-ho!
Morning campers! Brighstone Holiday Centre is perhaps the Isle of Wight's quirkiest holiday park, with proper old school 1930s chalets rather than the static caravans you'll find elsewhere.

The location is rather pleasant along the south western stretch of Isle of Wight's coastal path.

25. The Crow's Nest, Steephill Cove

Steephill Cove
Steephill Cove has a few rentals
Steephill Cove is a small, Cornish-style beach on the South Wight which has only a handful of properties which are available for rent. It's quite tricky to access (you can only get there on foot) but it is a great place for an ice cream and a quiet swim.

There are a few rentals on the beach but personally I like the look of The Crow's Nest.

26. Carisbrooke Castle

Some of our American cousins believe that all English people live in a castle...and now you can. Carisbrooke Castle has a 'Bowling Green Apartment' for hire. The Castle once housed King Charles I, although he wasn't there voluntarily.

The accommodation is for 2 adults and 2 children and ranges from around £700 - £1500 pounds for a week. You can stay in the depths of winter for three nights for £350 which seems great value for a one-off experience.

Probably not one for those who believe in ghosts.
Picture
The home of Charles I, and holidaymakers

27. Island Riding Centre

If you like the idea of being surrounded by horses on holiday, then the Island Riding Centre is worth a look. They have various self catering options which you can combine with riding lessons or gallops along the beach.

28. Knowles Farm Cottage

Geeky engineers and historians will love Knowles Farm Cottage for its role in the history of communications. The National Trust owned site is the former home of Guglielmo Marconi who carried out early communications experiments from the farm. It sleeps four and ranges from about £450 to £1200 for a week.

29. Tree top camping 

How do you fancy climbing to the top of a tree in the grounds of a Shorwell manor house and spending the night in a hammock? What could possibly go wrong? 

Thankfully, the experts at Goodleaf Tree Climbing seem pretty confident that you won't roll out of bed, although the guy in the photo on their website appears to be wearing a helmet in bed, which doesn't fill me with confidence.
​
It's not a cheap experience, as you have an expert with you at all times. When I checked it was £350 for one person or £450 for two.

Not recommended for sleepwalkers presumably.

30. Tiny Homes Holidays

Tiny Homes is a collection of four compact eco-friendly holiday homes in a rural spot just outside of Cowes. 

​Despite their tiny size, you can squeeze four people in and they come with self catering facilities. 

31. John Nash's Coachman's Cottage

There have been a couple of famous men called John Nash in history. The one which designed parts of Buckingham Palace and the Royal Pavillion in Brighton had strong connections to the Isle of Wight (the other was an American mathematician, in case you're interested). The shooting estate he owned around Newtown has a coachman's cottage which now offers retreats and art classes. Prices for B&B at Newtown Creek Retreat start at £60 per room person per night.

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